Drawing upon our history of passing AB 60 drivers’ licenses for undocumented Californians, jumpstarting the One California program—that has provided legal services and support to millions of immigrants and their families since its inception—and other immigrant inclusive programs, CIPC has continued to work towards creating a more equitable state by ensuring every member of our community can fully participate and engage.
In 2015, CIPC, alongside a coalition of state immigration legal services and advocacy organizations, successfully established the “One California” program. The One California program, administered through the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), provides annual grants to immigrant-serving legal services programs for low-wage and indigent immigrants. It was established and included in the 2015-2016 California state budget for organizations throughout the state to provide education, outreach, and legal services to immigrants and their families whom are in need of deportation defense and/or are eligible for affirmative relief, such as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) or U.S. citizenship.
Since 2015, the One California program —and ensuing network—has grown into a well-established program with $45 million of annual General Fund budget allocations, plus additional funding for pilot projects. The program started out funding over 60 eligible nonprofit and community-based organizations; today, this number has grown to over 120 organizations serving immigrants statewide.
Budget History and Legislative Wins:
Over the last several years, “One California” has incrementally expanded to fund all services needed to provide holistic care for immigrant clients. The program launched in 2015 with $15M in one-time funds for Immigration Affirmative Relief services, and gradually added new components: removal defense services, regional capacity funding, rapid response services, pilot capacity building projects, and additional funding needed for services responding to the federal immigration landscape. It has grown into a permanent item in the state budget, receiving $45M in dedicated funding each year. Below is a summary of the program’s funding and growth:
Take Action:
Join CIPC to take action for AB 617 here!
In 2022, CIPC, along with Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Southern California, CHIRLA, and the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, successfully worked on the CA IDs 4 All bill (AB 1766). AB 1766 will make available state-issued identification (ID) cards to all Californians, regardless of immigration status, by July 1, 2027. IDs are needed for many aspects of everyday life, from accessing critical health benefits to renting an apartment. California residents without access to a car or who are unable to take a driver’s test will benefit most from this bill; including women, elderly, individuals with disabilities, and people who were formerly incarcerated.
Read our most recent press release after the passage of AB 1766 from 2022 here.
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Help us continue CIPC’s groundbreaking work on behalf of immigrants and refugees in California.